Pilots avoid patdown, X-ray screening

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. security officials said Friday airline pilots will not be subject to advanced X-ray screening or patdowns, which have led to protest among some travelers.

Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole issued a statement saying pilots in uniform on airline business may pass through airport security as long as they present two forms of photo identification, which will be cross-checked against a flight crew database, ABC News reported.

"Allowing these uniformed pilots, whose identity has been verified, to go through expedited screening at the checkpoint just makes for smart security and an efficient use of our resources," Pistole said.

Unions representing pilots had urged members to avoid X-ray screening stations that generate full-body images, and pilots had said the screening made it difficult for them to work because it was so traumatic, ABC reported.

Rep. John Mica, R-Fla. -- the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee -- wrote a letter, along with Rep. Tom Petri, R-Wis., to Pistole complaining that the new screening procedures are "not achieving the proper balance between aviation security and the privacy rights of United States citizens."

"The level of public angst is a clear indication that the TSA has missed the mark," the letter said.

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.

A Spanish version of the site reaches millions of readers in Latin America and beyond.

UPI was founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps as the United Press (UP). It became known as UPI after a merger with the International News Service in 1958, which was founded in 1909 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, UPI is owned by News World Communications.